- Archives Sector Development
- Collection care
- Information and records management
- Digital preservation
- What to keep
- Reform of public bodies
- Public inquiry guidance
- Information principles
Social inclusion
Tackling social exclusion
Social exclusion is what can happen when people or areas suffer from a combination of linked problems - unemployment, poor skills, low incomes, poor housing, high crime, bad health and family breakdown. It is characterised by the inter-relatedness of problems that are mutually reinforcing; combined they create a fast moving, complex and vicious cycle.' (National Social Inclusion Programme website)
According to the National Council of Archives report, 'Archives in the Regions: An Overview of the English Regional Archive Strategies', there are some common themes on how archive services can begin to tackle social exclusion:
- Articulate the contribution of archives to specific communities and potential partners
- Research the impact on users and develop collections to ensure they represent the full richness of diverse communities
- Conduct non-user research to assess needs and develop links with local communities
Advice and guidance
- The Community Archives and Heritage Group offers a website with support, advice and resources for community archives of all types
- The National Social Inclusion Programme aims to support the creation of inclusive and sustainable communities
- IDeA Knowledge provides news briefs of examples of good practice from councils across England and Wales
- The Network supports information sharing on social inclusion activities in libraries, museums and archives
Case studies
- The Northamptonshire Black History Project is a community-led project to record and promote black history in Northamptonshire
- Connecting Histories was a collaborative Birmingham-based project to increase access to culturally diverse archive collections and promote learning and community engagement
- The Museums Libraries and Archives Council provides a database of case studies, including searchable examples of work with a range of socially excluded groups
Resources
- Inclusion Institute: Vision and progress: social inclusion and mental health
- The National Council on Archives: Taking Part, An audit of social inclusion work in archives
- Access Standard for further information on broadening access to archival services
